The 5 Best Start-up Businesses for Women

There are seemingly endless options to become your own boss, but what are the best start-up businesses for women? Although it is ultimately an individual decision, we have chosen to look closer at five fabulous start-up businesses for women that can be started relatively easily and that are financially and personally rewarding.

Bakery Owner

If you enjoy baking for your family and friends, you might have marketable culinary skills that could be turned into a money-making business. This flexible career can be started part-time using a home kitchen or by renting a commercial kitchen space. When opening a bakery business, you can begin by offering popular products that have wide appeal or try focusing on specialty baked goods with a niche market.

Bakery owners have the freedom to create their own combination of offerings: delicious breads, brownies, cakes, cookies, pastries, pies, or other baked goods. You can choose various venues to sell your baked goods including a traditional store-front, online custom orders, and commercial sales to restaurants.

Consumers are increasingly buying local and looking for organic or gluten-free options. New bakery owners might even set-up at their local farmer’s market as a way to reach more customers.

Closet Organizer

Closet organizers find creative solutions for everyday storage challenges. Envision your satisfaction when you help clients dig their way out of cluttered spaces while solving their closet confusion. In a financially rewarding career as a closet organizer, you will enjoy how changes to each client’s closet results in huge improvements in their routine as well as reducing their daily stress.

Did you know it costs an average of $10 per square foot to store items in a home? Many people have so much stuff that they have no idea where to put it all, or if they should part with it. And since we typically wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time, there is a good deal of valuable real estate inside our homes.

Closet organizers work their magic in a variety of spaces including: bedrooms, children’s rooms, offices, and entryways. Busy professionals, elderly couples, and families with children can all benefit from your services and are willing to pay for help with organizing. For example, you could earn $500 or more to organize a large walk-in closet.

Daycare Owner

Do you love to take care of children? Daycare owners provide daily supervision and care for children in a setting you choose. This hands-on occupation involves planning and participating in schedules, activities, and meals for children of various ages and abilities. Professional childcare is needed in all communities, from small towns to large cities. As long as parents are in the workplace, there will be a need for childcare.

Daycare owners can operate out of their own homes or work in a daycare facility with other staff members. Many women start-up an in-home daycare business because it allows them to look after their own children while earning an income. The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies reports that two-thirds of all children under the age of six are routinely cared for by someone other than a parent.

Daycare providers have a great sense of social responsibility, and it is the caregivers and teachers of children who will help shape the next generation.

Personal Shopper

Can you get paid to shop? Absolutely—personal shoppers are hired by all types of people from time-strapped executives to busy moms. While some personal shoppers specialize in a particular area, others may shop for virtually any product or service their clients want such as clothing, accessories, or gifts. Many people do not trust their own taste or feel overwhelmed by all the options available in stores and online. This need provides a ready-made population of prospective clients ready for a personal shopper’s service.

Personal shopping careers can take several forms: running your own business which caters to numerous individuals or corporate clients; working as a contractor or employee for an online personal shopping service that sources goods from a variety of businesses (this might include everything from clothing to groceries); and working as an employee for a single large retailer or specialty boutique. Personal shoppers are always learning about current and upcoming trends in fashion, design, and culture, which makes for an exciting career.

Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are in-demand administrative professionals who provide personal assistant or office assistant services from the comfort of home or other remote locations. Corporations have an increasing need for virtual assistants due to downsizing and outsourcing of jobs that were previously done by internal employees.

Some virtual assistants choose to provide virtual office assistant or virtual personal assistant services for busy professionals such as authors, entrepreneurs, real estate agents, doctors, or lawyers. You might even become a virtual assistant for professional associations or nonprofit organizations.

A virtual assistant’s specialization can include clients who work in a particular industry or involve specific skills and areas of expertise. By honing your virtual assistance niche, you will stand out from the crowd, increase potential income, and be better equipped to meet your clients’ needs.

This up-close look at the five best start-up businesses for women is just the tip of the career iceberg. There are myriad possibilities for women seeking their dream careers, and FabJob.com has over 100 career guides with expert advice and insider tips to boost the success of any start-up. To find more start-up businesses for women, visit http://fabjob.com/program-category/guides.

10 Steps to Becoming an Olympic Athlete

by John C. Bickar

It will probably cross the mind of virtually every one of the millions of viewers watching the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio: “What if it were ME going for the gold?” Until now the idea of competing at the Olympics has seemed an impossible dream for all but an elite few. “A lot of people are surprised to discover that no matter how old or out of shape they are right now, they could be chosen to compete in the next Summer Olympics,” says Tag Goulet, FabJob CEO.

Couch potatoes who dream of competing at the Summer Olympics could actually make their dream come true if they choose the right sport. Would-be Olympians may be encouraged to learn that: they can choose from among dozens of sports, some sports require more “mental” skills than “physical” skills, and financial support is available for athletes to train in their sport.

You may not have made it this summer, but it may surprise you to know that if you start preparing soon, you could be among the athletes competing in the 2020 Olympics. Don’t assume you’re too old or out of shape to make your dream come true. The oldest Olympic medalist was 72!

Here are 10 steps you can take towards living your dream of becoming an Olympic athlete, based on the FabJob Guide to Becoming an Olympic Athlete, originally published by FabJob.com during the 2000 Summer Olympics.

1. Assess Your Physical Condition

The first step is to determine what shape you are currently in. This will help you to select the best sport for you, as well as the training program you will need to follow.

If you are 35 years old and your favorite activity is sitting on the couch with a six pack and a bag of chips, you probably aren’t cut out to become an Olympic gymnast. However, if you are willing to make a few lifestyle changes, there are a number of sports you could successfully compete in. You can get an assessment of your current level of fitness by visiting a local gym and consulting with one of the trainers.

2. Choose a Sport

Many athletes select a sport based on what they enjoy doing and what they are good at. If you already have an athletic hobby, such as target shooting or judo, you are already one step ahead. If you are starting from scratch, you can find a list of Olympic sports by visiting the United States Olympic Committee website.

If you are an older athlete, you are more likely to achieve success in a sport that focuses on mental skills rather than purely physical strength. Some examples of mental sports include: archery, canoe/kayak, equestrian, fencing, sailing, shooting, and table tennis.

3. Find a Place to Train

Once you decide which sport to pursue, you need to start developing your skills. Join a local athletic club or visit a recreation center so you can practice and take classes. Another good place to train, depending on your sport, is your local high school or university.

4. Join your National Governing Body

A crucial step that will get you to the next level is to join your National Governing Body (NGB). The NGB conducts National Championships, maintains a National Team, and often supports various developmental programs for athletes. You can find the website for your NGB through the U.S. Olympic website.

5. Start Competing

If you haven’t already started competing at the club stage, now is the time to do it. Your NGB hosts a variety of tournaments that start on the local level. It is important in many sports to build a national rating by competing at certain competitions. Your NGB will be able to tell you when and where you should be competing.

6. Get a Coach

This step should be taken at the same time as you start competing. A coach can help you develop your skills, so you can progress to the next level of your sport. A good place to start looking for a coach is your local training facility. The people who teach classes at the facility can recommend someone to coach you, or they may be able to coach you themselves.

7. Visualize Your Success

A training technique used by top athletes is visualization. According to one theory, if you see a perfect golf swing 1,000 times in your mind, its better practice than actually swinging the golf club 10,000 times.

If you’re a diver, you can play out the entire sequence of a perfect dive in your mind. Imagine yourself climbing up the ladder, taking each step toward the end of the platform, launching yourself in the air, performing each flip and twist perfectly, and entering the water without a splash.

Then see yourself coming out of the water to a roaring crowd, toweling off, and flashbulbs popping. The more detail you can add to your visualizations—including imagining any sounds, smells, and physical sensations—the better your visualizations will prepare you to achieve the result you want.

8. Find Financing

At some point you may be ready to start training full-time, which means you will have to find a way to support yourself financially. Elite level athletes have several options including: attend college on an athletic scholarship, become a resident athlete at an Olympic Training Center, or obtain corporate sponsorships. Your NGB can give you information about becoming a resident athlete.

You may be able to obtain corporate sponsorships through your employer, by contacting the marketing department of other companies, or by having a sports marketing agency contact companies for you.

9. Attend the National Championships

Most NGBs run their National Championships in a similar format to the Olympic Games so it will be good practice for you. Often, the National Team coach is present at the National Championships, and will be able to tell you what you need to do to make the Olympic Team in your sport.

Many individual sports open their National Championships to any competitor who has achieved some minimum qualification at the local or regional level so you may have a better chance of competing than you think.

10. Qualify for the Olympics

Each sport has a different process for qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team. Athletes in team sports (such as basketball or soccer) tend to be chosen by the national coaching squad via their national reputation, national ranking or through results at previous competitions. Some team sports also have an Olympic tryout.

Athletes in individual sports (such as track and field or tennis) compete for a spot on the Olympic Team through qualifying tournaments or their national rankings. Once you make it to the Olympics, you have achieved the dream of a lifetime so enjoy the experience and go for the gold!

Be a winner at life when you pursue your dream career. Get insider tips and strategies you can use to succeed in each unique FabJob guide. Find out more on our site www.fabjob.com.

Become an Antiques Shop Owner

Are you a fan of shows like Antiques Roadshow or American Pickers? These shows illustrate that there are amazing historical items to be found in people’s collections which are often quite valuable. When you become an antiques shop owner, you will be connecting people to objects that have special meaning for those purchasing them. This career is perfect for research hounds who love to shop for bargains and enjoy working with people.

What Do Antiques Shop Owners Sell?

Whether it involves true antiques or more commonplace collectibles, an antiques shop owner can appeal to buyers seeking both types of lucrative items. An antique is usually an object at least 50 to 100 years old that is valued for its beauty and historical importance. Collectibles are of more recent vintage, less than 100 years old, but have that same aesthetic and historical charm or have some other cultural importance.

Decorating with antiques is popular with both older and young adults just starting to decorate their first homes. Interior designers and decorators frequently search antique shops and auctions for the perfect piece for their projects. As an antiques shop owner who gets to know decorators’ needs and tastes, you can quickly gain a steady clientele.

An antique piece of furniture is often less expensive than a new one, especially if it is in need of some work. Revamping antique pieces can is a hobby for many people. When you become an antiques shop owner, you can offer pieces ready for refinishing or even add furniture restoration to your list of services.

Collecting often moves in trends or fads, but you can identify that a trend is stirring if you stay in the loop by reading antiques publications and talking to others in the industry like dealers and collectors groups. As an antiques shop owner, you may find that household items like lamps, dishware, kitchen utensils, artwork and so on, are deemed collectibles that will be sought-after.

Become an Antiques Shop Owner Your Own Way

Sellers of antiques come in various shapes and sizes that allow for a truly custom business model. You can focus on whatever area of antiques or collecting you’re most interested in. Doing research in your specialty niche will help you become the “go to” expert for whatever concentration you choose. As an antiques aficionado, you can also offer seminars on antiques or contribute to articles or blogs.

Here are some additional ways to specialize when you become an antiques shop owner:

A storefront antiques shop is a frequent ambition, but it does require a large inventory and regular business hours.

Auction houses buy and sell antiques from estate sales and collectors at auctions while also increasing their shop’s inventory.

Collectibles dealers concentrate on the latest trendy items of interest to collectors. An antiques shop owner can also enhance their inventory with modern collectibles.

Secondhand inventory of gently used items can add a revenue source to any antiques business. In this industry, consignment arrangements in which a percentage of the sale goes to an owner help keep inventory costs down while providing new pieces for display.

Flea markets and antiques shows occur over most weekends in many communities and provide an instant avenue to sell items and meet the public.

Online and virtual antiques dealers can market their items to customers all over the world and easily reach an interested collector who is searching for specific antiques.

Offering antiques repair and restoration will appeal to many clients and help to improve the condition of your own inventory.

Making appraisals and consulting with purchasers and other dealers can help those looking for guidance on what to purchase and how to budget for their collection.

As an antiques store owner, there are numerous avenues to produce income. You can choose the business model which most appeals to you and works best for your clientele. To learn how you can get started in a dream career as an antiques dealer, check out this free sample from the FabJob Guide to Become an Antiques Shop Owner. For more information, visit http://fabjob.com/program/become-antiques-shop-owner.

Become an Accessories Store Owner

Do you often get compliments on your fabulous fashion accessories? Turn your flair for style into a fulfilling career when you become an accessories store owner and get paid to help people look and feel wonderful with stunning additions to their wardrobe.

As the owner of a fashion accessories store, you’ll get to shop for the hottest accessories and be among the first to know about new style trends. Whether your store is a small kiosk or cart exclusively selling your favorite type of accessory, or a large retail location that offers all types of fashion accessories, you can take control of your future and enjoy the freedom of being your own boss.

What is a Fashion Accessories Store?

When you become an accessories store owner, you have the luxury of selling items of your choosing and expressing your creative spirit through your shop. Maybe you would like to focus on trendy fashion accessories for the lucrative teen market. Or maybe you want to open a high-end accessories store to attract wealthy clients. Spend your days working in the midst of attractive items such as belts, gloves, hair ornaments, handbags, hats, jewelry, scarves, shoes, sunglasses, wallets, watches, and other accessories.

About the Fashion Accessories Industry

According to the fashion industry’s national Accessories Council, “accessories are the fastest growing sector in the fashion and apparel industry.” In fact, the fashion accessories sector alone generates annual revenues of $30 billion in the U.S. Over the past two decades, “as a category, accessories have emerged as a powerful force in the fashion industry,” says Karen Giberson, President of the Accessories Council. “Accessories used to be an afterthought. Now there is so much excitement over accessories.”

A fashion accessories shop is practically recession proof. Fashion accessory expert T.J. Reid reports that women tend to become more hesitant about spending money for entire new outfits during economic downturns. But even if they won’t spend lavishly on new clothing, they’re happy to buy more accessories to update old looks, says Reid.

Why Become an Accessories Store Owner?

Whether it’s a small kiosk in the mall or a 3,000 square foot location that offers all types of accouterments, you can have the freedom of creating the type of business you want. “You are your own boss! You have the ability to stay small or grow the business to the point at which you feel comfortable.” — Stephanie Witlock, owner of Stephanie’s Shoes.

Fashion accessories are a multi-billion dollar industry. When you become an accessories store owner, you will have a piece of that pie. There’s really no limit to the financial opportunities available in this sector once you learn to forecast fashion trends.

Another reward of owning a fashion accessories store is being able to support a lifestyle of exploration and travel. You may visit industry trade shows and markets around the country, seeking out new fashion accessories to add to your inventory. Maybe you’ll even travel overseas, representing yourself to manufacturers in other countries.

“As my company grew, I decided that I wanted to continue to be very involved with the buying side which has gotten increasingly complex as our revenues and buys increase. I can do my buying work from just about anywhere, as long as I have my laptop and an Internet connection. This has allowed me to travel…in a way that I never could in a traditional job.” — Sarah Johnson, CEO, Luna Boston

Prime Minister Suggests a New FabJob Guide

This is an “oldie but goodie” from the FabJob archives. Former Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark wrote to us at FabJob to suggest a new dream career guide that he predicted would be “a runaway bestseller”.

About FabJob

FabJob is the leading publisher of dream career guides with over a half-million satisfied customers on six continents since 1999. Focusing on popular careers that don't require a college degree, a FabJob guide can save you many hours of research, help you avoid some costly mistakes, and give you the competitive edge you need to get started and succeed in your dream career. Find the guide to your dream career.